January 20, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese capital Khartoum was preoccupied on Friday by the wedding ceremony of Chad’s President Idriss Deby, and daughter of Sudan’s Janjaweed militia leader, Musa Hilal, which took place at a top hotel and was attended by a host of dignitaries led by President Omer al-Bashir.

Hilal is the poster boy of the fearsome Janjaweed Arab militias which were mobilised by the Sudanese government to quell an insurgency that broke out in Sudan’s western region of Darfur in 2003.

That counter-insurgency campaign, which mainly targeted African ethnic groups on account of their affiliation to the insurgents, has led to the death of approximately 300,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.7 million, according to United Nation figures.

Deby was not present during the wedding ceremony which took place at Rotana Hotel on Africa Street in Khartoum.

Security was increased at the five-star hotel from the early in the morning, with more than 100 police personnel involved, sources told Sudan Tribune.

The hotels guests were barred from getting close to the swimming pool area which witnessed the celebrations following the contract of the marriage, in which president Bashir represented the bride while Deby was represented by a family relative named Abdo Ongi.

The wedding was originally scheduled to take place on 10 January but was postponed due to travel commitment of president Bashir and Deby.

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (L) celebrates with tribal leader and father of the bride Musa Hilal after the wedding ceremony between Amani Musa Hilal and Chad President Idriss Deby in Khartoum January 20, 2012 (REUTERS PICTURES)

Deby belongs to Al-Zagawa ethnic group, whose members straddle eastern Chad and western Sudan. His relationship with Bashir’s regime, which helped his rise to power in 1990, has been characterised by tension and mutual accusations of supporting rebel groups.

In 2009, however, the two countries ended their protracted hostilities and signed a deal that saw Deby ceasing his support for Darfur rebel groups and Khartoum expelling their Chadian counterparts.

Deby, in his 50’s, has been married several times and has at least a dozen children. The most famous of his wives is Hinda, who is known as Chad’s First Lady. Born in 1977, she belongs to the Arab branch of Al-Zagawa ethnic group.

The new wife, Amani, is a new university graduate in her 20’s. She denies rumours that she’s been forced to marry Deby.

“No one has forced me into this marriage, we are not in the Stone Age,” she told the local press following reports of her engagement.

Similarly, Hilal denied charges that he sold his daughter for the money because of the age gap. He told the press that there are no political motives behind the marriage. “We in Darfur and peripheral areas intermingle and intermarry, that’s the norm of life in these areas”.

(ST)

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Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.

21 January 2012 07:54, by Daniel Buolmawei

"According to press reports, Deby paid a $26 million dowry of which $25 million was paid to Musa Hilal and the rest to his daughter in the form of gold and jewelry."

Look, a miserably poor country like Chad where citizens are starving everyday has its president giving away unimaginable amount money that make the country survive for years. Africans want to put an end to these kind of leaders.

HA HA HA HA - look whos talking Mr. most miserable and pooriest country in the world. At least Chad has an economy. Why dont you ask YOUR government what it did with more than $10 Billion worth of oil revenues. Ask your leaders about their multimillion bank accounts in the US and EU. Hypocrites - ignorant idiots. NO BRAINS !

The head of the state in CHAD has surrendered himself to the slavery. oh lord give us Africans power to resist the enslavement.
The problem is ,he married al qaeda leader daughter .???????????? Darfurians blood gone.

The polygamous Chadian leader !! Where are these journalists from Sudan Tribune. Your obviously not from Sudan or South Sudan. Southern Sudanese have more wives then cattle !! They let their visitors sleep with their wives as a sign or respect. !!!

Hi, guys why do you care about their marriage. You know Deby was denying our separation from the North 2 years ago for his self-interest, which manifested itself by marrying that Khartoum militia leader’s daughter. There is nothing wrong about it let them enjoy their relationship.

Wow African leader are full of crack, how the citizen feel in the Chad went the Junta give away millions of Dollars by something call married the Mafai Militia daughter in foreign Country Sudan, while beauty of his country really neglect by president. Ashamed on him . and bed to African which of the Donor UN more challenge to African poor mange.

INITIALLY, THE GIRL WAS REPORTED BE IN LOGGERHEAD IN MARRYING IDRISS AND SHE DENYING IT THAT NOBODY HAS FORCED HER IN TO THIS MARRIAGE. IT COULD EITHER SHE WAS BEING BLINDED BY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GOLD OR HER FATHER HAD CLEARLY SOLD HER 25 MILLION DOLLARS ACCORDING THE REPORT. AT LYING IS NO CRIME IN AN ARAB CULTURE BUT AM SURE THIS INNOCENT GIRL WILL REGRET SOON AFTER..

What a stupid move! even the poorest nation in the world of which 90% of pop. are starving have decided this!
Idris Deby graduated in so called Africa international university in Khartoum, this unvi. produces only terrorists.

someone who graduated in this unvi. cann’t think wisely
death to Deby, God rescue the life of marginalized Chadians

You guys need to cool it down every now and then. let’s try not to be so politicized for a change. Brothers, the women is so damn fine and that’s that. the guy is a well-rounded player, i salute you Mr. President.

Congratulations president Deby, and I hope it will be a union of wealth and children BUT be ready to search your new wife before going to bed everyday because once a terrorist, always a terrorist. This whore’s coming just to smuggle your wealth to her father. As you enjoy the flesh be highly alert for everything at any time Mr. president!

I fully agree with the warning. These Arabs would do everything to achieve their objectives. They are ready even to sacrifice with their lives for that. No matter whether man or women they would lay themselves for what they thing right. Look to the recent history of Iraq, Lebanon, Syrian, they are carelessly carrying out suicidal operations!!. So president Deby must be careful in deals with

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